Media Credit: Andrew Gerstlauer Ellie Manou (above) and Nicole Canepa's improved play in the post have opened up shots for Oregon's shooters on the perimeter. "It feels good getting some momentum going into the (Pac-10) tournament," Manou said.

Win or Oregon starts the offseason early.

It's the predicament facing the Ducks women's basketball team this week in the Pacific-10 Conference Tournament. At 13-16 overall (7-11 Pac-10), Oregon needs to win four straight games and earn the automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament to have a chance at postseason play.

For Oregon, this is their playoffs.

"We have to go in knowing every game might be our last," guard Taylor Lilley said. "So we just to give it everything we have so we don't regret anything."

The Ducks left Eugene Thursday to fly to San Jose, Calif., for the tournament held at HP Pavilion. Oregon stars tonight in the No. 7 vs. No. 10 game with a matchup against Washington State, beginning at 6 p.m.

Oregon goes in confident with three wins in its past four games. Five other times Oregon lost five conference games by five points or less.

If Oregon can get past a Washington State squad that Ducks players and coaches say has improved, the Ducks will play California on Saturday at 1:15 p.m.

"We feel good about getting far and deep into this tournament," guard Kaela Chapdelaine said.

Key to Oregon's resurgence has been the play of post players Nicole Canepa and Ellie Manou. Manou has battled pain in her left foot much of the season but has been effective inside recently, going for 18 points against Oregon State and 12 the week before against UCLA.

"Both of our post players are definitely posing more of a threat on the inside," Lilley said. "That's opening (things) up for us and they are doing a great job of getting it inside and then kicking it back out when they have the double team."

Oregon's inside play has taken pressure off Lilley, who has responded with 14 and 17 shot attempts, respectively, but has only made a combined seven shots in the last two games.

Washington State has benefited from the return of forward of Ebonee Coates, who in the last six games has averaged nearly a double-double with 9.0 points and 9.7 rebounds a game.

"She is really important to them and she is playing well," coach Bev Smith said. "They've had the chance now for the last month to get her into the rhythm of the game."

Lilley earns honor

Lilley was selected to all-Pacific-10 third team Thursday. The sophomore guard is Oregon's leading scorer at 12.1 points a game and tops the Pac-10 with 2.34 three-pointers a game.

The Newhall, Calif., native has hit 68 three-pointers this season.

Stanford guard Candice Wiggins became the first player to earn Pac-10 Conference Player of the Year honors three times in her career.

Larger than life

Chapdelaine was the latest Duck to have her picture made into the gigantic poster on the side of McArthur Court. Her picture comes after friend and former teammate Eleanor Haring held the spot last season.

Chapdelaine's father visited in December around the time of the Papé Jam and saw it for the first time.

"He jokes around saying he wants to put it on the roof of our house," Chapdelaine said. "I would rather die but my mom wanted me to take a picture of it all year but I'm just not like that.

"I said 'No, you'll see it when you come down.'"

jdransfeldt@dailyemerald.com

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